Explanation: Rising in the dark
hours before dawn,
wandering Venus now shines
as the brilliant morning star.
Its close conjunction with the Moon on August 13 was
appreciated around planet Earth.
But skygazers in eastern Asia were also treated to
a lunar occultation,
the waning crescent Moon passing directly in front of the bright planet in
still dark skies.
This composite image constructed from frames made at 10
minute intervals follows the
celestial performance
(vimeo video) from above
the city lights and clouds over Taebaek, Korea.
The occultation begins near the horizon and progresses as
the pair rises.
Venus first disappears behind the Moon's sunlit crescent,
emerging before dawn from the
dark lunar limb.